Apparatus and method for reading and digitally editing multiple images

ABSTRACT

An image reading and editing apparatus utilizing: a CCD for reading an image signal concerning light intensity of an image of an original, an attribute memory storing attribute data for defining how the image data is to be processed, said attribute data being set for each small section by which an entire image region of the original is divided, an operation panel for designating an arbitrary small area out of the entire image region and setting attribute data for each of the small sections, an image data processing circuit for outputting the image signal based on the stored attribute data, and an external output apparatus for composing a plurality of images based on the outputted image signal to form a composite image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image reading and editing apparatushaving a composite image forming function and particularly to a colorimage reading and editing apparatus to be used in association with adigital printer or an output memory device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional digital image processing apparatus for processing animage by digital data comprises an image reader for reading an image ofan original and outputting digital data of the image, and a digitalprinter for printing an image based on the digital image data.

Such a conventional digital image processing apparatus is capable ofeasily performing various editing operations such as trimming or maskingof an image, or composite image formation, since images are processed inthe form of digital data.

Such a conventional digital image processing apparatus having the abovedescribed advantages performs image editing operations in the belowdescribed manner. For example, in order to compose two images separatelytrimmed from two originals, two image memories are provided. Then,digital data of the two image portions are stored in the respectiveimage memories and a composite image is formed by transferring the databetween the two memories. Thus, the two image memories each having acapacity for storing image data of an entire region of one page of theoriginal are required in the above described conventional digital imageprocessing apparatus. Consequently, the apparatus is not economical inview of the manufacturing cost as well as operation efficiency.

Under the circumstances, the assignee of the present invention proposedin Japanese Patent Application No. 61-24836, published as Japanese KokaiNo. 62-181570, a monochrome image reader capable of editing imageswithout requiring an image memory for storing image data of entireregions of two originals. This image reader has an attribute memoryhaving a data region smaller than that of such an image memory. Forexample, attributes of an image for small sections such as bi-level orhalf-tone are stored in the data region. Various editing operations areperformed in real time based on the attribute data. However, thismonochrome image reader is not capable of composing more than twoimages.

A color image editing apparatus is disclosed in Japanese PatentLaying-Open Gazette (Kokai) No. 58-60875. In this apparatus, an area ofan original is designated by a loop of a specified color and by readingthe original, editing operations designated such as masking ortransformation of black and red colors for the specified area and thearea outside the specified area are performed. However, this apparatusis not capable of performing complicated editing operations such aseditions different for each area. This apparatus is not capable offorming composite color images either.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imagereading and editing apparatus capable of forming a composite imagewithout using an image memory covering an entire image region of anoriginal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image readingand editing apparatus capable of forming an composite image in real timewithout using such an image memory as described above.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an image readingand editing apparatus capable of forming a composite color image withoutusing such an image memory as described above.

The above described objects of the present invention can be attained byusing an attribute memory having a capacity smaller than that of theabove described image memory and composing image data read out based onattribute data of images written in the attribute memory.

Briefly stated, an image reading and editing apparatus of the presentinvention comprises an image signal reading means for reading an imagesignal concerning a light intensity, an attribute memory for storingdata for defining an attribute of an image for each small section bywhich an entire image region is divided, attribute data setting meansfor designating an arbitrary small area out of the entire image regionand setting attribute data for each of the small sections, and outputmeans for outputting an image signal based on the stored attribute data.

The image reading and editing apparatus of the present invention thusconstructed makes it possible to form a composite image without usingthe prior art described image memory covering an entire image region ofan original.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image readingand editing apparatus comprises image signal reading means for readingan image signal concerning a light intensity for each red, green andblue color, means for dividing an original image into small areas eachdefined by a specified attribute, means for designating for each of theabove mentioned areas an attribute signal including a prohibitionattribute signal for prohibiting change of attributes, and an attributememory for storing an attribute of the image for each predeterminedsmall section by which the entire image region is divided, whereby twoor more images are composed to form a composite image by using theprohibition attribute stored in the attribute memory. If a foregroundimage is to be formed on a background image for example, the prohibitionattribute performs the following function. The prohibition attribute isset for the background image other than the partial image of theforeground to be formed, so that the background image can be preventedfrom being changed at the time of forming the foreground image on thebackground image.

The image reading and editing apparatus thus constructed makes itpossible to form a composite color image in real time.

These objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image reading portion of a color imagereading and editing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an original having plural image areasto be processed, each in a different manner, and contents forprocessing.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing attribute data corresponding to theareas shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a processing circuit of the imagereading and editing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a typical view showing an output apparatus for receiving imagedata processed in the processing circuit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an illustration for explaining a principle of composite imageformation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a process of forming a compositeimage and moving an image from a foreground to a background.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a flow chart for the case of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a process of forming a compositeimage and moving an image from a background to a foreground.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are a flow chart for the case of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the description of the present invention, the U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 883,135 entitled "Image Processor" filed July 8, 1986, nowabandoned is incorporated by reference.

An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention comprises an image reader for reading an image, an attributememory for storing attributes of specified areas of the image,designation means for designating any of the specified areas and theattribute thereof, and an image data processing circuit.

A method for forming a composite image in accordance with the presentinvention comprises a step of reading a first image and a second imageto be composed. The first image and the second image are in either ofthe following two relations. In the first relation, the first image is aforeground image and the second image is a background image. In thesecond relation, the first image is a background image and the secondimage is a foreground image.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention will be described inthe following order.

1. Construction of the Embodiment

(a) Image reader

(b) Attribute memory

(c) Designation of an area and an attribute

(d) Image data processing circuit

2. Composite image forming operation

(a) Composite image formation in the order a foreground image to abackground image

(b) Composite image formation in the order a background image to aforeground image

1. Construction of the Embodiment (a) Image reader

The image reader of the image reading and editing apparatus of thepreferred embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

Light emitted from a halogen lamp 2 as a light source for exposure isapplied to an original 102 on an original glass table 101. The lightreflected from the original enters, through an optical system (notshown), a charge-coupled device 1 (hereinafter referred to as CCD)provided as an array perpendicular to an image projecting direction. TheCCD 1 comprises filters for selectively transmitting any one of threecolors red, green and blue for each pixel. A signal representing theintensity of the reflected light for each of the three colors separatedby the CCD 1 is outputted.

The halogen lamp 2, the optical system and the CCD 1 constitute a unit.This unit is moved by a drive system (not shown) in a direction shown byarrow a predetermined distance along the glass table 101. Thus, theoriginal 102 is scanned. The drive system may be controlled by a centralprocessing unit 3 (CPU), such as shown in FIG. 4 or another CPU.

A reference white plate 103 is provided on the glass table 101, outsidethe original region.

Thus, color signal information concerning the original 102 is obtained.The color signal information is outputted through a processing circuithaving a construction as shown in FIG. 4 to a color printer having aprinting medium, a memory device or the like.

(b) Attribute memory

The image reading and editing apparatus of this embodiment comprises anattribute memory having capacities corresponding to small sections (forexample, each section having a unit square area of 1 mm²) by which animage region for one page is divided. Each attribute of an imagecorresponding to each small section is written in the attribute memory.A total capacity of this attribute memory is very small compared withthat of an image memory for storing data for each pixel of an image in aconventional apparatus.

Attribute data written in the attribute memory is composed of eight bitsd7 to d0. Each bit represents attribute information shown in Table 1.More specifically, the bit d7 instructs single-color painting. The bitd6 instructs inversion of an output signal. The bit d5 instructsbi-level processing or dither processing dependent on a color density ofa pixel read out. The bit d4 gives an instruction as to whether printingis to be performed in a monochrome mode or not. The bits d3 to d1instruct color designation concerning d7 and d4, corresponding to colorsas shown in Table 2. The bit d0 presents a request to an outputapparatus for prohibition of printing on the printing medium.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Attribute Information (corresponding to 0/1)                                  ______________________________________                                        d7:                 invalid pixel/valid pixel                                 d6:                 reversal/non-reversal                                     d5:                 bi-level/dither                                           d4:                 fixed color/multicolor                                    d3:                                                                           d2:                 color codes (see Table 2)                                 d1:                                                                           d0:                 prohibition of output/output                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Designation of Single Colors (color codes)                                    d3         d2    d1           designated color                                ______________________________________                                        0          0     0            white                                           0          0     1            yellow                                          0          1     0            magenta                                         0          1     1            red                                             1          0     0            cyan                                            1          0     1            green                                           1          1     0            blue                                            1          1     1            black                                           ______________________________________                                    

Using the above described attribute memory, image editing operationssuch as masking, trimming, edition in the monochrome mode of adesignated color and edition in a full color half-tone mode can beperformed. An example an image editing operation will be describedreferring to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Let us assume that a color original as shown in FIG. 2 is read.Processing as described below is requested for the respective areas A toF to provide outputs.

The area A is a full color half-tone area.

The area B is a single color half-tone area. In this example, blue isdesignated. Accordingly, even if this area in the original is a fullcolor picture portion, this area is reproduced in a blue colorhalf-tone.

The area C is a multicolor character area. For this area, any one of theeight colors shown by the color codes is selected for each pixel. Thisprocessing is effective for reproduction of multicolor characterportions

The area D is a single color character area. In this example, black isselected as the designated color.

The area E is an area where white characters are to be reproduced on thedesignated base color. In this example, red is selected as the basecolor.

The area F is an area to be painted out by a designated color. Yellow isdesignated in this example.

In this example, data as shown in FIG. 3 are written in the attributememory.

In order to output the data, processing is performed corresponding tothe data of the attribute memory for each unit square area of 1 mm², aswill be described afterwards. For example, full color half-toneprocessing is applied to the area A and bi-level processing is appliedto the area D.

(c) Designation of an area and an attribute

Attributes for image edition are designated through an operation panel15 (FIG. 4). Attribute data are stored in the attribute memory throughthe CPU 3. On the other hand, an output signal is obtained from a colorsignal provided from the CCD 1.

Designation of an image area and designation of an attribute may beeffected as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 883,135.According to this U.S. application, an entire region of an image is readat first. The thus read image is represented on a display. An attributeis inputted by moving a cursor on the display using a keyboard. Aspecified area is designated by specifying x and y coordinates. Anattribute may be set for the thus designated area.

(d) Image data processing circuit

Referring to FIG. 4, the circuit for processing the image data read outby the CCD 1 will be described.

First, an output corresponding to the reference white plate 103 outsidethe original region shown in FIG. 1 is obtained through the CCD 1. Atthe same time, an image signal is written in line RAM's 6a, 6b and 6c inresponse to an instruction of the CPU 3. The CPU 3 checks the writtencontent. Then, reference voltages VrefR, VrefG and VrefB foranalog-to-digital (A/D) converters 4a, 4b and 4c, respectively, are setso that the maximum values of the signal may be constant for therespective colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B).

After the reference voltages VrefR, VrefG and VrefB have been set, thedata written in the line RAM's 6a, 6b and 6c are maintained as referencedata for shading correction. When the original region begins to bescanned, the CPU 3 sets an exposure amount for the halogen lamp 2, basedon the exposure amount data preset through the operation panel 15.Signals of the respective colors subjected to exposure of the presetamount are converted to digital values by the A/D converters 4a, 4b and4c, respectively. The respective color signals thus converted as thedigital values are inputted to a color processing circuit 7 aftershading correction processing in shading circuits 5a, 5b and 5c. Maskingcorrection processing is performed by the color processing circuit 7corresponding to characteristics of ink for an output apparatus. Then,signals Y, M and C (corresponding to the colors R, G and B,respectively) are generated by this circuit 7. The characters Y, M and Crepresent yellow, magenta and cyan, respectively. If the outputapparatus is a printer for printing a region of one page for each color,the below described method will be effectively utilized to decrease amemory capacity of the output apparatus. More specifically, scanning isrepeated by the number of colors to be printed and a necessary outputsignal (any of the signals Y, M and C) is outputted for each scanning.(In this case, the printer produces outputs in the above describedmanner. If the respective colors Y, M and C are to be obtainedsimultaneously, a printer is provided in a manner in which circuitsdownstream of the color processing circuit are provided in parallelcorresponding to the number of colors to be printed. Thus, there issubstantially no limitation as to the printing method.

Any of the output signals Y, M and C of the color processing circuit 7is shown as a color image signal 7a in FIG. 4. A color density average(or a weighted color density average) of the colors R, G and B iscalculated and outputted as a monochrome image signal 7b. The colordensity average corresponds to a density signal in a case where theoriginal image is processed as monochrome data. The color image signal7a and the monochrome image signal 7b are inputted to a selector 9.

The bit d4 out of the attribute data on the position corresponding to apresent original reading position is supplied to the selector 9 as aselect signal. In the case of d4=φ, the monochrome image signal 7b istransmitted downstream. In the case of d4=1, the color image signal 7ais transmitted downstream.

A dither ROM 11 generates a half-tone threshold value with a cyclecorresponding to a matrix of m×n. A selector 10 selects either data fromthe dither ROM 11 or bi-level threshold data in response to the bit d5of the attribute data. Then, the selected data is transmitted to acomparator 12. The comparator 12 compares the signal (i.e., the imagesignal) from the selector 9 and the signal (i.e., the threshold data)from the selector 10. The bits d7 and d4 to d1 are inputted to thecomparator 12 as control signals. An output of the comparator 12 is asfollows.

○1 In the case of d7=φ and d4=φ or 1, the output of the comparator 12 isalways a constant value according to the color codes. As a result, adesignated area is painted out by a single color. If d1=1 when scanningis effected to obtain the signal Y (Yellow) for example, the output ofthe comparator 12 is 1 irrespective of the image signal. If d1=φ, theoutput is φ.

○2 In the case of d7=1 and d4=φ, the output of the comparator 12 is asfollows. If the bit of the color code concerning the printing color ofthe scanned object is 1, the output of the comparator 12 is 1. If thebit of the color code is φ, the output of the comparator 12 is φ.

○3 In the case of d7=1 and d4=1, the comparator 12 outputs thecomparison result between the image signal and the threshold signal asit is.

Data from the comparator 12 is supplied to a selective output circuit 14directly and also through an inverter 13. The selection output circuit14 outputs data inverted or non-inverted dependent on the bit d6 to theoutput apparatus such as the printer and the memory device. In thiscase, the output is supplied in synchronism with valid pixel signalsfrom the CPU 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the output apparatus for receivingthe data (i.e., the image data D and the attribute data d0) from theprocessing circuit shown in FIG. 4. There are two types of outputapparatus which can be connected to the image reading and editingapparatus of the present invention. An output apparatus 20 of the firsttype includes an output memory 21 having a capacity for storing data ofonly one line or several lines of one page. This output apparatus 20performs printing for each line whenever it receives the data. Anexample of the output apparatus of this first type is a color printer ofa thermal transfer type. Such an output apparatus prints all the imagedata obtained by a first reading operation. Then, it prints, on theprinted paper, data obtained by a second reading operation.Consequently, if the first image extends over an area where the secondimage is to be printed, overlap of the images will occur. To preventsuch overlap, the image data D is previously processed by using theprohibition attribute in the attribute memory and then supplied to theoutput apparatus 20, as will be described in detail afterwards.

An output apparatus 30 of the second type includes a buffer memory 31having a capacity for storing image data for one page. This outputapparatus 30 performs printing after a plurality of images are composedas a composite image in the buffer memory 31. The image data D and theattribute data d0 are supplied to this output apparatus 30. Both dataare inputted to a memory writing control circuit 32 provided in thepreceding stage of the buffer memory 31. The memory writing controlcircuit 32 stops writing the image data in the memory 31 when theattribute data d0 is 0.

2. Composite image forming operation

In the following, an example for forming a composite image c by joiningtwo images of originals a and b will be described.

Systems for forming a composite image include two systems: one is asystem (system A) for composite image formation in the order foregroundimage to a background image, and the other is a system (system B) forcomposite image formation in the order from a background image to aforeground image. System A is applicable to output apparatus of thefirst and second types, while the system B is only applicable to outputapparatus of the second type.

(a) Composite image formation in the order from a foreground image to abackground image (system A).

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, composite image formation by system A willbe described. To select the system A, a composite mode switch 16 (FIG.4) is turned on and a selection switch 17 (FIG. 4) is turned off (instep SP1, see FIGS. 8A and 8B). The CPU 3 initializes the attributememory 8. In this case, initialization is set to "white" and d0=1 forthe entire region, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 7 (in step SP2).Subsequently, data is inputted from the operation panel 15 includingadequate input means (not shown). With regard to the first originalimage (the foreground image) a, a trimming area is set (in step SP3) andattributes are set for the area and the other area outside the trimmingarea (in steps SP4). In case of FIG. 7, the house portion of theoriginal image a is set to a half-tone full color (1111xxx1). Attributedata (01x00001) remains for the area outside the trimming area.Subsequently, scanning for reading the data is performed (in steps SP5and SP6) and the image data is outputted to the output apparatus (insteps SP7 and SP8). In the case of FIG. 7, the color code of the imagein the area outside the trimming area is white (d3=d2=d1=0). Thus, theimage in the area outside the trimming area, formed by the outputapparatus is in white (as shown in part (c) of FIG. 7) (in step SP8).After the scanning for one page is completed (step SP9), the attributed0 in the portion corresponding to d0=1 and the non-white color codes,that is, in the trimming area is changed from 1 to φ (in step SP10).Subsequently, with regard to the second original image (the backgroundimage) b, a trimming area and an attribute are set (in steps SP11 andSP12). At this time, the CPU 3 does not change the data in the attributememory 8 for the area set to d0=φ, that is, the trimming area of thefirst original. In other words, it is not necessary in this secondedition to take account of the area where the first image has beenformed. For example, if the entire region of the original image b is setto half-tone full color, a content in the attribute memory 8 is set asshown in part (e) of FIG. 7. In this condition, scanning operation isperformed on the same printing medium as that where the first image hasbeen formed (in steps SP13 to SP17). Then, the image as shown in part(f) of FIG. 7 is formed. As a result, the composite image c as shown inFIG. 6 is obtained.

In the second scanning operation, even if image data exists in the areacorresponding to the trimming area of the first original, such imagedata is not outputted. This is because the attribute data d0 in thisarea is φ and output of such image data from the selection outputcircuit 14 is prohibited.

In this example, the attribute data d0 becomes φ for the entire regionof the attribute memory 8 after the end of the second scanning operation(in step SP10). However, if a color area (φ1xφφφφ1) remains, compositeimage formation can be performed by a non-limited number of times byrepeating the same trimming in the editing operations subsequent to thesecond editing operation (in steps SP18).

To bring the composite mode in this system A to an end, the compositemode switch 16 is turned off (in steps SP18 and SP19).

Next, composite image formation of using an output apparatus including abuffer memory to enable overlap printing will be described, using theoutput apparatus of the second type. In the output apparatus of thesecond type (hereinafter referred to as the output memory device), ifthe color white (i.e., the image data d3, d2, d1=φ) is written in thearea where an image has been written, the data in this area will berewritten in white. Accordingly, the above described system cannot bedirectly applied in this case. Therefore, the attribute data d0 as wellas the image data D is outputted to the output memory device as shown inFIG. 5. The writing control circuit 32 of the output memory devicewrites the image data in memory if d0=1. On the other hand, if d0=φ, thewriting control circuit 32 prohibits writing in the memory device andthe previously written data is maintained.

The other procedures are the same as described above in the case ofusing paper as the printing medium.

(b) Composite image formation in the order from a background image to aforeground image (system B).

In the above described system A, printing operation is performed in theorder foreground image to the background image. On the other hand, inthe case of the memory device (including the buffer memory) whereinformation written afterwards becomes valid by repeating writingoperations, the system B can be adopted to form a composite image in theorder background image to the foreground image.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, this system will be described. Thissystem B is selected when the switch 17 (FIG. 4) is turned on (in stepSP21, see FIGS. 10A and 10B). The switch 16 (FIG. 4) has of course beenturned on. Thus, the flow shown in FIG. 10 is started.

The attribute data for the entire region is initialized to φ (in stepSP22). Then, attribute data for the original image (the backgroundimage) b is set by the CPU 3 through the operation panel 15 havingadequate input means (in step SP 23) as shown in part (a) of FIG. 9. Inthis case, the entire region is of the half-tone (1111xxxb 1). Ifscanning operation is performed in this state, the background image asshown in part (b) of FIG. 9 is formed in the memory (in step SP24).

After the scanning operation, the content of the attribute memory 8 forthe entire region is automatically set to d0=φ (prohibition of printing)as shown in part (c) of FIG. 9 (in the step SP25). Subsequently,trimming is effected for the original image a (in step SP26). At thistime, even if d0=φ, the content of the attribute memory 8 can berewritten. The CPU 3 sets all the attribute data d0 within the trimmingarea to 1 (in step SP27). Thus, the attribute memory 8 is set for theoriginal image a as shown in part (d) of FIG. 9. More specifically, thetrimming area has d0=1 and is set to a suitable attribute mode(half-tone in this case). In this state of the attribute memory 8,scanning operation is performed for the original image a (in steps SP28and SP29). The data d0 is also transmitted to the printer in synchronismwith the output of the image data. If d0=1, the printer outputs theimage data in a manner overlapping with the image data shown in part (b)of FIG. 9 (in the steps SP30 and SP31). Thus, the image is written asshown in part (e) of FIG. 9. On the other hand, if d0=φ, writing of thedata is prohibited. Thus, the composite image c composed of the originalimages a and b as shown in FIG. 6 is formed.

In this case also, composite image formation can be performed by anon-limited number of times by repeating the above described editingoperations.

To bring the composite mode in this system B to an end, the compositemode switch 16 is turned off.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scopeof the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image reading and editing apparatus,comprising:image reading means for reading an image on an original andgenerating image data; attribute data storing means for storingattribute data representing how the image data is to be processed, saidattribute data being set for each of a plurality of small sections intowhich the entire region of the original containing said image isdivided, said attribute data including a prohibition attribute;attribute data input means for designating an area equal to or largerthan one of said small sections in the entire region of the original,setting attribute data for the designated area, and storing theattribute data in the attribute data storing means; means forinstructing that a composite image is to be formed from two or moreimage portions on areas designated in different originals by theattribute data input means; and image data output means for processingthe image data generated by said image reading means based on theattribute data stored in said attribute data storing means andoutputting the processed image data to an external apparatus so thatnull data is output with respect to small sections for which theprohibition attribute is set when said instructing means instructs thata composite image is to be formed.
 2. An image reading and editingapparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said image reading meanscomprises color image reading means for reading a color image andgenerating image data for each of three primary colors and saidattribute data further includes a color code attribute.
 3. An imagereading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidtwo or more image portions includes a foregound image portion on an areadesignated in one of original by said attribute data input means and abackground image portion on an area designated in another original bysaid attribute data input means.
 4. An image reading and editingapparatus in accordance with claim 3, further comprising selection meansfor selecting either a first output mode in which first image dataaccording to said foreground image portion is generated and output andthen second image data according to said background image portion isgenerated and output, or a second output mode in which the second imagedata is generated and output and then the first image data is generatedand output.
 5. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance toclaim 4, wherein said image data output means comprises control meansfor setting the prohibition attribute in said attribute data storingmeans for the designated area corresponding to said foreground imageportion after output of the first image data when said first output modeis selected, whereby output of the second image data does not influencethe first image data.
 6. An image reading and editing apparatus inaccordance with claim 4, wherein said image data output means comprisescontrol means for setting the prohibition attribute in said attributedata storing means for areas other than the designated areacorresponding to said foreground image portion after output of thesecond image data when said second output mode is selected, wherebyoutput of the first image data does not influence the second image data.7. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 6,wherein said control means sets the prohibition attribute in saidattribute data storing means for the entire region and then sets theattribute data for the designated area corresponding to said foregroundimage portion after output of the second image data.
 8. An image readingand editing apparatus, comprising:image reading means for reading animage on an original and generating image data according to said image;attribute data storing means for storing attribute data representing howthe image data is to be processed, said attribute data being set foreach of a plurality of small sections into which the entire region ofthe original containing said image is divided, said attribute dataincluding a prohibition attribute; attribute data input means fordesignating an area equal to or larger than one of said small sectionsin the entire region of the original, setting attribute data for thedesignated area, and storing the attribute data in the attribute datastoring data; means for instructing that a composite image is to beformed two or more image portions on areas designated in differentoriginals by the attribute data input means; and image data output meansfor processing the image data generated by said image reading meansbased on the attribute data stored in the attribute data storing meansand outputting the processed image data together with the prohibitionattribute to an external apparatus when said instructing means instructsthat a composite image is to be formed; said external apparatus having abuffer memory to store the processed image data therein and means forwriting the processed image data into the buffer memory based on theprohibition attribute.
 9. An image reading and editing apparatus inaccordance with claim 8, wherein said image reading means comprisescolor image reading means for reading a color image and generating imagedata for each of three primary colors and said attribute data furtherincludes a color code attribute.
 10. An image reading and editingapparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said two or more imageportions includes a foreground image portion on an area designated inone original by said attribute data input means and a background imageportion on an area designated in another original by said attribute datainput means.
 11. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordancewith claim 10, further comprising selection means for selecting either afirst output mode in which first image data according to said foregroundimage portion is generated and output and then second image dataaccording to said background image portion is generated and output, or asecond output mode in which the second image data is generated andoutput and then the first image data is generated and output.
 12. Animage reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 11, whereinsaid image data output means comprises control means for setting theprohibition attribute in said attribute data storing means for thedesignated area corresponding to said foreground image portion afteroutput of the first image data when said first output mode is selected,whereby output of the second image data does not influence the firstimage data.
 13. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordancewith claim 11, wherein said image data output means comprises controlmeans for setting the prohibition attribute in said attribute datastoring means for areas other than the designated area corresponding tosaid foreground image portion after output of the second image data whensaid second output mode is selected, whereby output of the first imagedata does not influence the second image data.
 14. An image reading andediting apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein said controlmeans sets the prohibition attribute in said attribute data storingmeans for the entire region and then sets the attribute data for thedesignated area corresponding to said foreground image portion afteroutput of the second image data.
 15. An image reading and editing methodfor processing image data corresponding to first and second imageportions in different originals and outputting the processed image datato an external output apparatus by using an image reading apparatus,theimage reading apparatus comprising image reading means for generatingimage data corresponding to each original, attribute data storing meansfor storing attribute data for representing how the image data is to beprocessed, said attribute data being set for each of a plurality ofsmall sections into which the entire region of each original is divided,attribute data input means for designating arbitrary small areas eachequal to or larger than one of said small sections in said entireregion, setting attribute data for each of said small areas, and storingthe attribute data in the attribute data storing means, and image dataoutput means for processing the image data generated by said imagereading means based on the attribute data stored in said attribute datastoring means and outputting the processed image data, said methodcomprising the steps of: designating an area corresponding to the firstimage portion and setting attribute data for the same in said attributedata storing means such that a white attribute representing a whitecolor is set for areas other than the area corresponding to the firstimage portion in said attribute data storing means; outputting firstimage data corresponding to said first image portion to said externalapparatus by using said image reading means and said image data outputmeans; setting attribute data for an area corresponding to the secondimage portion in said attribute data storing means while setting aprohibition attribute for prohibiting output of image data for the areacorresponding to the first image portion, and outputting second imagedata corresponding to said second image portion to said externalapparatus by using said image reading means and said image data outputmeans, whereby said first image portion is combined with said secondimage portion to form a composite image by using said external outputapparatus.
 16. An image reading and editing method for processing imagedata corresponding to first and second image portions in differentoriginals and outputting the processed image data to an external outputapparatus having a buffer memory for storing image data by using animage reading apparatus,the image reading apparatus comprising imagereading means for generating image data corresponding to each original,attribute data storing means for storing attribute data for representinghow the image data is to be processed, said attribute data being set foreach of a plurality of small sections into which the entire region ofeach original is dividend, attribute data input means for designatingsmall areas each equal to or larger than one of said small sections insaid entire region, setting attribute data for each of said small areas,and storing the attribute data in the attribute data storing means, andimage data output means for processing the image data generated by saidimage reading means based on the attribute data stored in said attributedata storing means and outputting the processed image data, said methodcomprising the steps of: setting attribute data for an areacorresponding to the first image portion in said attribute data storingmeans; outputting first image data corresponding to said first imageportion to said external apparatus by using said image reading means andsaid image data output means; designating an area corresponding to thesecond image portion, and setting attribute data for the same in saidattribute data storing means while setting a prohibition attribute forprohibiting output of image data for areas other than the areacorresponding to the second image portion, and outputting second imagedata according to said second image portion to said external apparatusby using said image reading means and said image data output means,whereby said second image portion is combined with said first imageportion to form a composite image by using said external outputapparatus.